Sean Kelly and over 100 amateur cyclists conquer the Tour de Munster charity cycle in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland and individual beneficiaries

A cyclist is helped up the gruelling Patrick’s Hill in Cork city at the end of the 2017 Tour de Munster cycle on on Sunday, August 13th. Over 100 amateur cyclists joined cycling legend Sean Kelly for the demanding four day, 600km charity cycle through all the counties of Munster in aid of Down Syndrome Ireland (Munster branches), as well as a number of individual beneficiaries.For more information see www.tourdemunster.com.Pic: Diane Cusack

From August 10th to 13th, cycling legend Sean Kelly led over 100 amateur cyclists on the four day, 600 km Tour de Munster charity cycle around the six counties of Munster, culminating in Cork City on Sunday evening. The Tour de Munster cycle is now in its 17th year, with funds raised going to Down Syndrome Ireland (DSI) Munster branches for the 8th year in a row. Participants could also raise funds for an individual beneficiary. This was a new addition to this year’s Tour de Munster, allowing cyclists to select their own beneficiary to raise funds and awareness for it, as a way of letting some more worthy charities leverage from the continued success of Tour de Munster.

Sean Kelly, who is a devoted supporter of Tour de Munster and completed his 12th Tour, once again cycled with the group for the full four days of the Tour, covering an average of 150 km per day. The tour started in Cork City and moved on to the beautiful towns and villages of Waterford, Tipperary, Limerick, Clare, Kerry and then back to Cork Cork City on the final day. Since its inception in 2001, Tour de Munster has raised over €2.4 million for its beneficiaries, with almost €1.9 million for DSI alone. Paul Sheridan, who established Tour de Munster, could not be prouder of the Tour and its many participants over the years.

Paul said, “It’s hard to believe we have just completed our 17th annual Tour de Munster. I am extremely grateful to everyone who was involved from beginning to end. The tour is no easy feat for cyclists and to see their commitment is fantastic. The dedication from the cyclists is not just for four days, but for the weeks and months beforehand and cyclists also cover all their own costs. For many of the courageous cyclists, this was a return journey as they have supported the Tour year after year, while for some this was their first Tour de Munster. It’s great to see new faces join the Tour each year and become part of the Tour de Munster community.”

Paul concluded, “I would also like to thank the fantastic supporters who came out to cheer us on along the tour. The supporters are such an important element to the success of the tour. They contributed to such a fantastic atmosphere, cheering and motivating the cyclists throughout the Tour. It’s a demanding tour but when we see the families who benefit and have supporters spurring us on, it gives us that extra push to keep on going.”

The Irish Examiner, Clare FM, Red FM, Tipp FM, and WLR FM were the Official Media Partners of Tour de Munster 2017.

For more news and photos from the Tour, log onto www.tourdemunster.com, find it on Facebook, or follow the Tour on twitter @tourdemunster.